how do you know when you're on a Date?

I sat down opposite Andrew, paralysed by first-date nerves. He's a handsome, sexy writer who I'd harboured a secret crush on for years, but we'd never been single at the same time. Now we were finally having dinner, a meeting that he'd instigated: could this be it? He kissed me hello, pulled out a chair, then, "You know Paul and Ryan, right?" he asked, gesturing to the other two guys at the table. And with that the dreamy evening I'd envisaged evaporated. Instead, I was caught in that relationship limbo: the Almost Date.

The problem is that none of the traditional rules apply any more. Where once there was no doubt when a man was romantically interested, today, platonic relationships abound.

Here are some common Almost-Date scenarios and the signs to watch out for to avoid romantic misfire...